Deep Amazon Experience

Experience and in depth visit to the pristine Amazon Rain Forest within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador. Begin, by flying into Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and enjoy a night in the city. Then, head to the airport and fly to Coca, the gateway to the deep Amazon Rainforest! The principal Amazon artery for visitors is the Napo River, a major tributary of the main Amazon River. Its basin is 1400km long and one to three miles wide. Napo's 130 islands are covered by young forests, which provide refuge and nesting sites for a multitude of bird species. Along the length of the Napo, natives and settlers have established communities. Most of the shore is covered with tropical forest and over thousands of years, many lakes have formed. All meals and excursions are included.

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito

Upon your arrival you will be met by a local representative who will help you locate your vehicle.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Quito with a professional driver.

Accommodation: Mercure Alameda

Amazon

Napo Wildlife Center

Day 2: Quito - Amazon

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Quito with a professional driver.

Enjoy a direct flight from Quito to Coca. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes.

Transfer by boat and land 30-90 minutes.

To get to Napo Wildlife Center, guests fly by jet from Quito to the town of Coca (officially known as Francisco de Orellana) on the Napo River. After a short drive from the airport to the dock, board a large, motorized, covered canoe for a scenic two-hour trip down the Napo River. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Center Reserve, switch to smaller, dugout canoes. You are paddled up the blackwater creek to the lake and lodge (motorized transport is not allowed on the creek or lake so that wildlife is not disturbed). This paddle can take anywhere from one to three hours, as on the creek guests may see Giant Otters, potoos, kingfishers, Hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys. Enjoy lunch en route and arrive at the lodge by late afternoon.

Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center

Anangu Quichua

Day 3: Amazon

Early wake up to reach the parrot clay licks about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests arrive just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. A visit that depends on weather conditions but usually successful.

Later, hike along forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu where you will learn more about the local culture. Return to the creek and hike through Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until arriving to the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help several different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws may be identified. Box lunch at the parrot clay lick observatory. Late afternoon arrival to the lodge.

Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center

canopy tower

Day 4: Amazon

After early breakfast, depart from the lodge visit the canopy tower located about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the Terra Firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree. Experience magnificent views formerly reserved only for the birds. The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists as well.

Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center.

Served lunch at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family on the way.

Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center

Napo river

Day 5: Amazon - Coca - Quito

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Entry docking area, use of restrooms and embarking on motorized canoe in order to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after 2 hours boat ride up river, in order to check in for Coca - Quito flight.

Enjoy a flight from Coca to Quito. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes.

Transfer by boat and land 30-90 minutes.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Quito with a professional driver.

Accommodation: Mercure Alameda

Day 6: Quito

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Quito with a professional driver.

A departure tax must be paid upon departing Ecuador through the Quito airport. The payment must be made in cash and the cost is of USD$44.30 per person. Subject to change without notice.

What's Included:

Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

What's not Included:

Trip Terms & Conditions

Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid such as (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price and any non-refundable airfare and cruise deposits if applicable. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 75% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.

Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary

Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.

Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.

Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

Hotels

Mercure Alameda Hotel

Mercure Alameda - Quito

Alameda Mercure Hotel, one of the best hotels in Quito, is strategically located near major tourist sites and historical center, classified as a World Heritage Site. The hotel is ten minutes from the cable car to the city, a few meters from the craft market and the Traditional Parque El Ejido. The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. The comfortable rooms feature high speed internet access, entry cards, WiFi, LCD with cable TV, personal safe and soundproof windows.

Napo Wildlife Center

The Napo Wildlife Center supports a unique, 82-square-mile, private nature reserve on the northern edge of the Yasuni National Park. The reserve and associated lodge were created and built by traditional Quichua Indian Community of Anangu. The Napo Wildlife Center is the only lodge on the south bank of the Napo, which harbors 30% more bird and animal species than the north bank. With parrott licks, Giant Otters, Woolly Monkeys and ten other primates, Napo WIldlife Center is the finest wildlife destination in Ecuador. The lodge consists of 12 luxury cabañas, 2 suites and a large dining hall with a library and a well-stocked bar. Attached to the bar is a 50-foot viewing tower from which you can see the Andes on a clear day! Cabanas are comfortable and spacious and include: one king-sized bed and one twin-sized bed, private bathrooms with hot water showers, private porches with lake views, 24-hour electricity, ceiling fans and secure screens for plenty of bug-free ventilation.

Map

Reviews

South America
MaryBurchenal ,
December 12, 2014"We are back. We did have a wonderful time with our daughter and I certainly had no reason at all for being at all nervous that things would not go smoothly. Everyone associated with our time in Iguazu Falls was helpful, more than pleasant and always on time. I thought originally that we could manage such a trip on our own. But when we got there and saw the hassles we would have run into with the visas, border crossings, transportation and such, I realized that going the way we did was the wise choice. Absolutely we would travel with you again. And if anyone asks about the best way to see that part of the country, I would not hesitate to recommend KT. "

South America
Janet Huebert ,
December 12, 2014"Well, Cindy, we’ve been home for a week but I can’t stop replaying every day of our wonderful holiday in my head! It was all that I had hoped for and MORE! We enjoyed all of the locations we visited – the beauty of the landscapes, the sight of wildlife, the rich culture & interesting history of Argentina & the outgoing, positive attitude of its people. Our guides were terrific – so friendly & knowledgeable & helpful & enthusiastic! We had no delays or difficulties & our accommodations were outstanding. Have I mentioned that it was a FABULOUS holiday??!!! My thanks to you for coordinating, booking, confirming and generally taking care of our requests in planning our adventure. "

South America
Ann Schiller ,
December 12, 2014"Fabulous trip to Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima. Trip of a lifetime with a sensational group of guides, drivers, and transfer staff! Loved the Sanctuary Lodge! A must! Thank you, Nella Huaringa, for planning this amazing journey! Thanks for making sure we didn't miss a thing on our itinerary even when we lost a travel day, due to a broken airplane that turned back midair, on our way to Lima. We appreciate your service above and beyond. "

South America
WendyRobinson ,
December 12, 2014"Wow! All my life, I have planned and organized our trips, requiring considerable research and contact time--not to mention, most significantly, all the stress involved at each destination to make sure all connections are made. This time, I put it in the hands of some extremely capable people--and sat back and relaxed. And relax I did! We were booked into full-service, quality accommodations at all times; our transport and tour guidance were all on an individual, private basis, except where public transportation was in order; and--most valuable to us--we were met and assisted through all travel/hotel connections. We truly felt pampered. At one point, in fact, we had a problem with an immigration paper that we had lost, and a Kensington representative personally accompanied us through the whole process of replacing it--even though we were officially "on our own" that day. That's what makes the difference--the responsibility and accountability toward clients. Kudos to Kensington and to our representative, Brandi Merchant. We are already planning more travel and see no reason to look any further than to an agency that has earned our trust. "

South America
LorettaCappuccitti ,
December 12, 2014"We had a wonderful time on our trip. The accommodations were all great. The guides and drivers were all very pleasant and knowledgeable. We were very happy with our choice of destinations and with the way the trip was organized. It was a lot of flying in two weeks but well worth it. Erika was able to accommodate a short-notice addition (Nazca Lines) to our trip which we appreciated. Thank you Erika for your help. Great trip!!"

South America
Frank Manna ,
April 21, 2014"Our guided transfers were exceptionally accommodating even though our flights were considerably delayed. The Annavillanas Jungle Lodge was spectacular for location, accommodations and food. The Rio Carnival experience was unique and unforgettable and our seats were wonderful. Loved the location of our hotel in Rio.......right on the street of Copacabana Beach.......fantastic. "

South America
Christina Adams ,
April 21, 2014"I know it's silly to give all 10's, obviously every trip has it's ups and downs, but if it hadn't been for our Kensington Tours planning, guides and drivers we would have been lost! It was wonderful to be out in a strange new environment yet know we had a safety net and a friendly face. The places we visited were awesome but I think we'll remember most the people that we met. Thank you and I'll send photos soon! Sincerely, Christina Adams"

South America
Vivian Jennings ,
April 21, 2014"Very pleased with organization. Not having to worry about connections or arrangements is wonderful. Great selection with hotels, Coral 1 and Napo Wildlife. Kensington puts all the details together to ensure a wonderful trip. Highly recommend the Galapagos and Amazon. "

South America
Daniel More ,
April 21, 2014"All was great. Guides were knowledgeable, personable, friendly... that's what really made the trip."

South America
Marlin Barad ,
April 21, 2014"Sofia, thank you for putting together a great trip. We certainly enjoyed ourselves very much. The planning and care was excellent. We hope we can do another trip with you all soon. Marlin Barad"